Ke'Shawn Vaughn (5) waits with other players for a drill to start during Vanderbilt's first football practice of preseason camp
Friday Aug. 3, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Put Ke’Shawn Vaughn’s fumbles in that same category. And when the Commodores fail to complete a deep pass to Kalija Lipscomb, responsibility might be placed on those same offensive linemen.

It’s not a blame game. Instead, Vanderbilt is placing a high standard of accountability on its offensive line, which should have the personnel to recover from a disappointing 2017 season to be a strength this season.

“We should be held accountable for those things,” offensive tackle Justin Skule said. “Those are team stats as far as we’re concerned. Fans see the end result, but they don’t see what causes those things.”

Offensive line play key to meeting every offensive goal

Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig opened preseason camp by laying out three priorities: Limiting turnovers, re-establishing the running game and completing long pass plays.

Listen closely, and it’s apparent Ludwig knows offensive line play will determine the success of each objective.

On limiting fumbles, Ludwig said, “Even if the ball is being run right, (the left tackle) is responsible for doing everything he can to protect the ball (by blocking the back side).”

Vanderbilt excelled at that last season. It lost only four fumbles, the fourth-fewest in the nation.

Ludwig said Vanderbilt’s “run-to-win mentality” will be “led by a veteran offensive line.” The Commodores’ rushing production dropped from 164.5 yards per game in 2016 to 107.2 yards per game last season.

And how does Vanderbilt intend to complete more deep passes?

“When we call a deeper pass play, the offensive line understands and appreciates the quarterback is going to be holding the ball a little longer,” Ludwig said. “The pass protection has to be a premium.”

Skule added that some interceptions are caused when Shurmur is pressured too quickly in the pocket.

NFL prospects expected to anchor offensive line

Optimism is cautiously high for Vanderbilt’s offensive line, which returns all five starters. And coaches have raved about depth that’s developed in spring practice and preseason camp.

Bruno Reagan played right guard in 2016, when Vanderbilt’s offensive line excelled, but center last season. He has returned to right guard in camp because of the improvement of new starting center Egidio DellaRipa and backup redshirt freshman Grant Miller, the son of former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Fred Miller. DellaRipa started eight games at right guard last season.

Sophomore Cole Clemens and returning starter Saige Young are competing for the left guard spot. Skule, a 6-foot-6, 318-pounder with 25 consecutive starts, returns at left tackle. Devin Cochran, a 6-7, 318-pounder, is back at right tackle after starting 10 games as a redshirt freshman.

Reagan and Skule, both seniors, are NFL prospects. Coach Derek Mason said NFL scouts already have shown interest in Cochran, who has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

“(Cochran) is playing with a lot of confidence,” Ludwig said. “He gained some weight and strength in the offseason. His system mastery is coming up as a second-year starter, and that confidence just exudes from him.”